The residents of Aalo town in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district are facing a tough time over the past week after the town’s main water pipeline was damaged as a result of earth cutting and road construction from Nigmoi to SFS College.

A public health and engineering department source said complete restoration may take a day or two.

The pipes are said to be buried due to landslides and earth moving due to road construction just above the main pipelines.

Leaking pipe joints are adding to the residents’ woes.

Oman Jempen, a resident in the SFS College area, said, “We are having to depend on bottled water for drinking and cooking because of the scarcity of water. For other purposes, we have to bring water from the Siang and other sources in the hills. We approached the department and authorities concerned to repair the pipelines. They said restoration is under way but there are delays because of scarcity of labourers and equipment. However, they have assured us that supply will resume within two days.” The district administration has directed the Aalo public works department to repair the damage soon.

Tamo Riba, a junior engineer of the PHE department, said, “As a result of the rough terrain through which the pipes are laid, the work is delayed. We have arranged for supply of water in tankers on a temporary basis.”

He added that they are trying to restore water supply within a day or two.